ATA Round Cable Modification

[Yodums]

OK I've already got round cables split into 4 but they're electrical tape and they look butt ugly. I went out and bought some clear tubing today the big ones were too big and expensive and they're not even straight.

Although mines abit too small where the ATA connecter that goes into the IDE device won't fit in the tube...

Is there anyway to do this <WITHOUT> cutting the tube.

[JFettig]

i made my ata100 cables squair!
i did every 10 wires and taped them the long way and they are VERY nice!!!!
but i think i recked one of them cuz when i used it on my hard drive it wouldnt boot, the hd led was constant red.....
hmmmm

[Diggrr]

It's a bit risky <standard don't cry, you chose to do it disclaimer> but I've taken the plugs on the end of the cable apart. There's just a small tab on each end to pry out slightly.

I've done this to shorten a HUGE pair of ata100 cables.
Pry open the tabs, seperate the two sides, remove from the wire.
Relocate to new position by carefully aligning the little metal 'knives' around the wires, then hammer them back in using a hammer and a phone book for padding underneath.
That's the ghetto version of how they are made too. They just buy huge spools of ribbon cable, press on the plugs, and trim the wire off next to the plug.

I'd relocate them slightly when puting it back together, the contact to the wires would be better. (ie..don't put them in them back in same place, move 1/4" up the cable) And make sure you put it back on facing the same way it was.

[JFettig]

yea i did that with my floppy cable but it was very easy

it went from like 24in to about 10 and its round too
very nice...

[Yodums]

Ah I just cut the tubing open then put the wires in and taped it with electrical tape with very huge gaps between the taping.

Its as good as the other idea just not really fun to look at :D